Microsoft’s search for a new chief executive will extend into 2014, dampening expectations of a decision by year end.

According to the Guardian, Microsoft’s search committee narrowed down the field of contenders from 100 to 20 “extremely impressive” individuals, and then to an unspecified number of finalists. Now begins the hard part of shortening the shortlist. John Thompson, a member of the board, predicted that the committee would select a successor in the “early part” of 2014.

The outgoing CEO Steve Ballmer faced a mounting boardroom campaign to resign after Microsoft lost ground to Apple and Google in the mobile services market. Ballmer announced his decision to step down last August.